Latch mechanism



June 2, 1964 R. DERl-:NG 3,135,569

LATCH MECHANISM med Dec. 11, 1961 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 FIG. 2 5| 62 46 5745 INVENTOR.

6| Roman Dereng BYWg/f M@ AHvs.

FIG. 2a

R. DERENG LATCH MECHANISM June 2, 1964 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Dec. 11, 1961 m u: NQ. NN

INVNTOR. Roman Dereng 5,135,569 LATCH MECHANISM Roman Dereng, Des Piaines, lil., assigner to Motorola 1 Inc., Chicago, Ill., a corporation of Iliinois Fiied Dec. 11, 1961, Ser. No. 153,273

1t) Claims. SCL 312--217) This invention relates to latching devices and more particularly to a latching device which permits manual unlatching of various closuremembers by operation of a single release.

In certain types of cabinets it may at times be desirable to open a plurality of closure members at the same time. For example, one method of positioning the speakers of a portable record player by a suiiicient distance to create a stereophonic eiect is to provide hinged speaker enclosures. Such enclosures may be swung outwardly from the cabinet to achieve the necessary separation and may swing inwardlyto close over the front of the cabinet when the record player is not in use or is being transported.

A cabinet such as the one described would require provision for unlatching three closure members, i.e., the two speaker doors covering the front and a lid for access to the record playing apparatus contained inside the cabinet. It is desirable that a single knob operatedlatch be provided that will control all three closure members and further that such'closure member be easily opened after unlatching. Simplicity of operation is Van attribute which can greatly contribute to consumer appeal.

Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide a cabinet having several closure members with a single manually operable latch mechanism capable of simultaneously unlatching all the closure members with a single operating motion.

Another object of this invention is to provide a cabinet having several closure members with a multiple latchV mechanism which will facilitate the opening of the closure members after the unlatching thereof.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a cabinet having several closure members with a single latch for opening the closure lmembers which latch is reliable of operation, low in cost and simple to assemble.

It is a still further object of this invention to provide a cabinet having several closure members with a multiple latch mechanism operable by single rotary motion.

A feature ofthe invention is the provisionof an improved latch mechanism for an enclosure, including a manually operable cam member engageable with a cam follower and linkage for simultaneously displacing a retractable tongue and a slidable release mechanism to unlatch a pluralityof doors on the enclosure.

Another feature of the invention is the provision, in the above named slidable release mechanism, of a slidable resilient member for capturing studs on the doors of an enclosure when the doors are in a closed position, and for releasing the doors upon the sliding of the member to align windened portions thereon with the studs.

Another feature of the invention is the provision, on the above named retractable tongue and slidable release mechanism, of resilient means for urging the respective doors to an open position upon displacement of the tongue and release mechanism.

Another feature of the invention is the provision, in a latch mechanism for a plurality of doors on a photograph cabinet, which mechanism has a manually operable cam member, of springmeans biasing the cam member in its original position so that the cam member will return to that position after the doors are unlatched by manual operation of the cam member.

ICC

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a record player cabinet in which the invention is used;

FIG. 2 is a sectional View of the latch along the line 2--2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 2a is a partial view ofa device as in FIG. 2 but with the latch in opened position;

FIG. 3 is a bottom View of the latch actuating assembly in closed position;

FIG. 4 is an elevational view of the assembly of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a sectional View along the line 5-5 of FIG. 3;

FlG. 6 is a sectional view along the line 6-6 of of the invention in open position; and

FIG. 8 is a sectional view`along the line S-S of FIG. 7.

In a particular form of the invention, a record player cabinet having a lid and two front covering closure members is provided with a manually operable knob on the top surface thereof. A shaft is keyed to the knob at one end and carries an eccentric mounted near its opposite end. The lid is provided with a spring biased catch which is engageable with a retractable tongue for securing the lid in a closed position. Each of the two doors is provided with a beveled headed stud extending from the inner face thereof which studs enter corresponding holes in the front of the cabinet when thev doors are closed. Each of the studs is captured in the holes by a resilient member, which clips over the head of the stud and ts in an annular groove in the stud toretain theA same. The resilient members have widened portions andv are displaceable to align the widened portions with the studs for release thereof. A slidable plate is in engagement with the resilient members to cause their operation. A floating link is rotatably fixed to the tongue andV slidably and rotatably fixed to the slidable plate so that displacement of the link causes transverse linear movement of the tongue and plate. An opening in the floating link is adapted to receive the eccentric therein so that rotation of the knob, and hence rotation of the eccentric, will cause the necessary displacement of the floating link to retract the tongue from the resilient catch and.

to align the widened portions of the resilient members with their corresponding studs.

Referring to FIG. l, the record playerv 11, having the latch of the invention, is shown in open position. Cabinet 13 of the record player includes a lid 15 which opens to permit access to the recordY playing apparatus 17 of record player 11. A low frequency speaker enclosure19 occupies the front portion of cabinet 13. Two speaker enclosures 21 and 23 each contain mid range and high fre-, quency speakers and are pivotable outwardly from the front of cabinet 13 bymeans of hinges 24, thereby also performing the Vfunction of doors which close over the front of cabinet 13. A spring biased catch 25 is located in the front Vedge of lid 15 for securing the lid in closed position as will be more explicitly indicated later.

Speaker enclosures 21 and 23 are each provided with a bevel headed stud 27 protruding from the surface thereof.V Stud holes 29 are provided in the surface of the front of cabinet 13 to receive studs 27 when speaker enclosures 21 and 23 are pivoted to close over the front of speaker enclosure 19. A manually operable knob 31 for actuating a latching mechanism as will be fully eX- plained subsequently, is mounted on an'escutcheon plate 32 on the top of cabinet 13.

FIGS. 2 and 3 present a more detailed picture of the construction `and operation of the latching mechanism. Knob 31 is keyed to shaft 33 which is pivotally mounted in mounting plate 37 and bracket portion 39 thereof.

Patented .lune 2, 1964.

Fixed to shaft 33 and operable by it is a cam or eccentric 41. Eccentric 41 is slidably mated in an opening in cam follower or floating link 43.

When knob 31 is manually turned, shaft 33is turned also, causing eccentric 41 to pivot (sce FIGS. 3 and 7). As eccentric 41 pivots, no torque is transmitted to link 43 since eccentric 41 slidably rotates in the opening of link 43. However, displacement of link 43 occurs due to the off center characteristics of eccentric 41. The full extent of displacement of link 43 by eccentric 41 may be seen in FIG. 7.

Link 43 is pivotally attached at one end to retractable tongue 45 by rivet 46. The opposite end of link 43 is pivotally attached to slider plate 47 by means of rivet 48 which is also adapted to slide in slot 49 of link 43. Slider plate 47 is guided in a linear displacement by means of fixed rivets 53 which cooperate with slots 55 in slider plate 47. Y

Upon displacement o f link 43 by eccentric 41, retractable tongue 4S and slider plate 47 will be displaced in transverse linear directions. This may be best seen by comparing FIGURES 3 and 7 as eccentric 41 is pivoted from the normal position of FIG. 3 to the latch releasing position of FIG. 7. Link 43 is displaced both linearly and angularly. The linear displacement of link 43 is irnparted to tongue 45 causing retraction thereof. The lateral displacement of link 43 is imparted at the opposite end to slider plate 47 with slot 49 providing means of absorbing the longitudinal displacement of the link.

Mounting plate 37 is provided with a guide flange 57 having an opening therein to admit retractable tongue 45.

The opening in guide flange 57 is of sufficient size toV also receive resilient finger 59, which lies along tongue 45. Finger 59 is provided with T portion 58 to lock behind flange 57 by fitting in loop 60 formed in plate 37. Tongue 45 is provided with an offset 61 thereon. Resilient finger 59 is provided with a shoulder 62 thereon which shoulder is mated with offset 61 when the locking mechanism is in closed position.

Referring to FIG. 2a, as link 43 is displaced by eccentric 41 to open position thereby retracting tongue 45, shoulder 62 is forced up by offset 61 causing resilient finger 59 to be displaced upwardly. Thus, as tongue 45 is Withdrawn from engagement with spring biased catch 25 to release lid 15, resilient finger 59 will cause lid 15 to be displaced upwardly to facilitate full opening thereof. Alignment of tongue 45 is maintained by a U-shaped double portion 45a which engages the interior edges of bracket portion 39. Lid 15 is secured in closed position by catch 25 which is adapted to depress against its spring bias upon contact with the end of tongue 45, thereby slipping past the tongue and catching on its underside.

In FIGS. 2 through 6, the means for capturing studs 27 in stud holes 29 are shown. Resilient members 63 and 64 are linearly slidable by extensions 65 on slider plate 47. Resilient members 63 and 64 are confined to their linear motion by chamber 67 formed out of center plate 69 which is positioned between L portion 71 of mounting plate 37 and interior plate 73. Interior plate 73 is held against L portion 71 by means of tabs 75.

Upon closing doors 21, 23 as studs 27 enter stud holes 29 and come in Contact with resilient members 63 and 64, their beveled heads force the resilient members apart to admit the full diameter of the studs. Further passage of studs 27 through resilient members 63 and 64 causes the resilient members to reclose over an annular groove 76 provided in the studs, thereby clipping them in place. Resilient members 63 and 64 are provided with widened portions 77 and 78 which, upon displacement of slider plate 47 and hence extensions 65, and resilient members 63 and 64, become aligned with studs 27 thereby releasing them from their grip. When released, studs 27 are forced partially out of stud holes 29 by spring plates 79 which provide a bias on stud 27 when in locked position. In

this way doors 21 and 23 are partially opened when the latch is operated.

In FIGS. 2, 3 and 7, means for returning the mechanism to its original position after actuation thereof are shown. Arm 81 is fixed to shaft 33 by key 83. Upon actuation of the mechanism, arm 81 is pivoted upwardly. Bias is provided on arm 81 by spring 85 which is fixed to mounting plate 37 by post 87. Thus, as manual force is released on knob 31 spring 85 will return arm 81 to its initial position. By doing so, eccentric 41 will be pivoted upwardly from the position shown in FIG. 7 to the position shown in FIG. 3, causing tongue 45 and slider plate 47 to move from the position shown in FIG. 7 to the positions shown in FIG. 3. Thus, tongue 45 is returned to ythe position necessary to relatch lid 15 while at the same time resilient members 63 and 64 are returned from the positions shown in FIG. 8 to the positions shown in FIG. 5 for relatching speaker enclosures 21 and 23.

It may be seen therefore that the invention provides a latching mechanism operable by a single knob, which mechanism provides for simultaneously unlatching a plurality of closure members and in addition displaces such closure members to facilitate the further opening thereof. The latching mechanism also permits opening doors in traverse planes by operation of a single knob, the mechanism being reliable, simple of operation and assembly and low in cost.

I claim:

1. In an enclosure having first and second doors, a latch device including in combination, a first latch portion having a slidable release member for release thereof, a second latch portion having a retractable tongue for release thereof, said retractable tongue being linearly displaceable in a direction transverse to that of said slidable release member, means on the doors engageable with said first and second latch portions for securing the doors in a closed position, a manually operable cam having an axis of rotation fixed in relation to the enclosure and a cam following link displaceable by said cam and mechanically coupled with said retractable tongue and said slidable release member to impart linear motion thereto for releasing said first and second latch portions upon displacement of said cam following link by manual operation of said cam.

2. In an enclosure having first and second doors, a latch device including in combination, a first latch portion having a slidable release member for release thereof, a second latch portion having a retractable tongue for release thereof, said retractable tongue being linearly displaceable in a direction transverse to that of said slidable release member, means on the doors engageable with said first and second latch portions for securing the doors in a closed position, a manually operable eccentric having an axis of rotation fixed with respect to the enclosure, a floating link mechanically coupled to said tongue and said slidable release member to impart movement thereto and having an opening therein, said eccentric being rotatable in said opening to displace said link and impart movement to said tongue and said slidable release member for releasing said first and second latch portions.

3. In a cabinet having a bottom, top, front, rear and two sides, and further having a lid formed in the top thereof hinged on an axis parallel to the rear, and further having first and second doors respectively hinged at the juncture between the sides and the front of the cabinet and pivotable to a closed position to cover the front of the cabinet, a latch device including in combination a spring biased catch in the forward edge of the lid, a tongue engageable with said catch for the securing thereof and retractable to disengage said catch for release thereof, a beveled-headed stud extending from the interior surface of each of said doors, each of said studs having an annular groove near the beveled end thereof, a retaining mechanism located in the front of the cabinet for receiving said studs upon closing of the doors, said mechanism portions and being linearly slidable to align said widened,

portions with said studs `to release the same from said retaining mechanism, a slidable actuating member in engagement with said resilient member for causing linear movement thereof, a manually operable eccentric having an axis of rotation fixed with respect to the cabinet, a floating link mechanically coupled to said tongue and said actuating member to impart movement thereto and having an opening therein, said eccentric being rotatable in said opening to displace said link and impart movement to said, tongue and said actuating member for disengaging each of said studs from said resilient member and said tongue from said spring catch thereby allowing the lid to be raised and the doors to be opened.

4. In a cabinet having a bottom, top, front, rear and two sides, and further having a lid formed in the top thereof hinged on an axis parallel with the rear, and further having first and second doors respectively hinged at the juncture between the sides and front of the cabinet ad pivotable to a closed positionto cover'the front of the cabinet, a latch device including in combination, a spring-biased catch in the forward edge of the lid, a tongue engageable with said catch for the securing thereof, and retractable to disengage said catch for release thereof, a beveled-headed stud extending from the interior surface of each of said doors, each of said studs having an annular groove near the beveled end thereof, a retaining mechanism located in the front of the cabinet for receiving said studs upon closing of the doors, saidA mechanism having first and second resilient members for respectively capturing said studs by said, annular grooves, each of said resilient members 'having a widened portion and being linearly slidable to align said widened portion with said studs to release the same from said retaining mechanism, a slidable actuating memberin engagement with said resilient members for causing. linear movement thereof, a manually operable leccentric having an axis of rotation fixed with respect to the cabinet, a floating link mechanically coupled tosaid tongue and said actuating member to impart movement thereto, and having an opening therein, said eccentric being rotatable in said opening to displace said link and impart movement to said tongue and said actuating member for disengaging said studs from said resilient members, and said tongue from said spring catch thereby allowing the lid to be raised and the doors to be opened, and a spring biased lever fixed to said eccentric for returning the device to its original position following manual operation of said eccentric. Y Y

5. In a cabinet having a bottom, top, front, rear and two sides, and further having a lid formed in the top thereof hinged on an axis parallel with the rear, and further having first and second doors respectively hinged at the juncture between the sides and front of the cabinet and pivotal to a closed position to cover the front of the cabinet, a latch device including in combination, a springbiased catch in the forward edge of the lid, a tongue engageable with said catch for the securing thereof, and retractable to disengage said catch for release thereof, a beveled-headed stud extending from the interior surface of each of said doors, each of said studs having an annular groove near the beveled end thereof, a retaining mechanism located in the front of the cabinet for receiving said studs upon closing of the doors, said mechanism having a resilient member for capturing said studs by said annular grooves, said resilient member having widened portions and being linearly slidable to align said widened portions with said studs to release the same from said retaining mechanism, a slidable actuating member in engagement with said resilient members for causing linear movement thereof, a manually operable eccentric having an axis of rotation fixed in relation to the cabinet, a floating link rotatably fixed at one end to said tongue and slidably and rotatably fixed at the oppositel end to said actuating member, said link further having an openingtherein to receive said eccentric, said eccentric being rotatable in said opening to displace Said link linearly to retract said tongue and angularly to cause sliding of said actuating member for disengaging said stud from said resilient member and said tongue from said spring catch, thereby allowing the lid to be raised and the doors to be opened.

6. In a cabinet having a bottom, top, front, rear and two sides, and further having a lid formed in the top thereof lhinged on an axis parallel with the rear, and further having first and second doors respectively hinged at the juncture between the sides and front of the cabinet and pivotable to a closed position to cover the front of the cabinet, a spring biased catch in the forward edge of the lid, a tongue engageable with said catch for the securing thereof and retractable to disengage said catch for release thereof, resilient means on said tongue for displacing the lid upwardly upon retraction of said tongue, a beveled headed stud extending from the yinterior surface of each of said doors, each of said studs having an annular groove near the beveled end thereof, a retaining mechanism located in the front of the cabinet for receiving said studs upon closing of the doors, said mechstuds from said mechanism, a slidable actuating member in engagement with said resilient members for causing linear movement thereof, a manually operable eccentric having an axis of rotation fixed in relation to the cabinet, a floating link rotatably fixed at one end to said tongue and slidably and rotatably fixed at the opposite end to said actuating member, said link further having an opening therein to receive said eccentric, said eccentric being rotatable in said opening to displace said link linearly to retract said tongue and angularly to cause sliding of said v actuating member in a direction transverse to the movement of said tongue for dsengaging said studs from said resilient members and said tongue from said spring catchy thereby allowing the lid to be raised and the doors to be opened, and a spring biased lever fixed to said eccentric Vfor returning the device to its original position following manual operation of said eccentric.

7. In acabinet having a bottom, top, front, rearand two sides and further having a lid formed in the top thereof hinged on an axis parallel with the rear and further having first and second doors respectively hinged at the juncture between the sides and front of the cabinet and pivotable to a closed position to cover the front of the cabinet, a latch device including in combination, a spring biased catch in the forward edge of the lid, a tongue Vengageable with said catch for securing same and retractable to disengage said catch for release thereof, resilient means on said tongue for displacing the lid upwardly upon retraction of said tongue, a beveled headed stud extending from the interior surface of each of said doors, each of said studs having an annular groove near the beveled end thereof, a retaining mechanism located in the front of the cabinet for receiving said studs upon the closing of the doors, said mechanism having first and second resilient members for respectively capturing said studs by said annular grooves, each of said resilient embers having a widened portion and being linearly slidable to align said widened portion with said studs to release same from said retaining mechanism, said mechanism further having resilient means for displacing said studs and hence said doors outwardly upon release of said studs from said mechanism, a slidable actuating member in engagement with said resilient members for causing linear movement thereof, a manually operable eccentric having an axis of rotation fixed with respect to the cabinet, a floating link mechanically coupled to said tongue and said actuating member to impart movement thereto and having an opening therein, said eccentric being rotatable in said opening to displace said link and impart movement to said tongue and said actuating member for disengaging said studs from said resilient member and said tongue from said spring catch thereby allowing, the lid to be raised and the doors to be opened.

8. In a cabinet having a bottom, top, front, rear and two sides and further having a lid formed in the top thereof hinged on an axis parallel to the rear and further having7 rst and second doors respectively hinged at the juncture between the sides and the front of the cabinet and pivotable to a closed position to cover the front of the cabinet, a latch device including in combination a spring biased catch in the forward edge of the lid, a tongue engageable with said catch for securing same and retractable to disengage said catch for release thereof, a resilient lever on said tongue and engageable with the lid, said lever being displaceable upwardly upon retraction of said tongue to displace the lid in an upward direction, a beveled headed stud extending from the interior surface of each of said doors, each of said studs having an annular groove near the beveled end thereof, a retaining mechanism located in the front of the cabinet for receiving said studs upon closing of the doors, said mechanism having a resilient member for capturing said studs by said angular grooves, said resilient member having widened portions and being linearly slidable to align said widened portions with said studs to release same from said retaining mechanism, a slidable actuating member in engagement with said resilient member for causing linear movement thereof, said mechanism further having resilient plates engageable with each of said studs upon closing of the doors, said plates adapted to urge said studs out of said retaining mechanism upon release thereof thereby causing displacement of the doors, a slidable actuating member in engagement with said resilient member for causing linear movement thereof, a manually operable eccentric having an axis of rotation xed with respect to the cabinet, a floating link mechanically coupled to said tongue and said actuating member to impart movement thereto, and having an opening therein, said eccentric being rotatable in said opening to displace said link and impart movement to said tongue and said actuating member for disengaging each of said studs from said resilient member and said tongue from said spring catch thereby allowing the lid to be raised and the doors to be opened.

9. In an enclosure having first and second doors disposed in substantially perpendicular planes when latched, a latch device for unlatching both of the doors by means of a single rotary control, including in combination, a lirst latch portion having a slidable release member for release thereof, a second latch portion having a retractable tongue for release thereof, said retractable tongue being linearly displaceable in a direction substantially perpendicular to that of said slidable release member, means on the doors engageable with said first and second latch portions for securing the doors in a closed position, a manually operable rotatable cam, a floating link pivotally connected at one end to said retractable tongue and at the other end to said slidable release member, said floating link engaging said cam member and displaceable thereby to impart linear motion to said retractable tongue and said slidable release member for releasing said first and second latch portions.

10. In an enclosure having first and second doors disposed in substantially perpendicular planes when latched, a latch device for unlatching both of the doors by means of a single rotary control, including in combination, a rst latch portion having a slidable release member for release thereof, a second latch portion having a retractable tongue for release thereof, said retractable tongue being linearly displaceable in a direction substantially perpendicular to that of said slidable release member, means on the door engageable with said rst and second latch portions for securing the doors in a closed position, a manually operable eccentric having an axis of rotation substantially perpendicular to the plane of one of said doors, a floating link pivotally connected at one end to said retractable tongue and at the other end to said slidable release member and having an opening therein, said eccentric being rotatable in said opening to displace said link and impart linear motion to said retractable tongue and said slidable release member for releasing said rst and second latch portions.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,278,640 Hammesfahr Sept. 10, 1918 1,305,979 Cobe June 3, 1919 2,211,217 Peterson Aug. 13, 1940 2,293,363 Schell Aug. 18, 1942 2,486,460 Bonenberger Nov. 1, 1949 2,765,206 Smith Oct. 2, 1956 FOREIGN PATENTS 15,874 Great Britain of 1909 

1. IN AN ENCLOSURE HAVING FIRST AND SECOND DOORS, A LATCH DEVICE INCLUDING IN COMBINATION, A FIRST LATCH PORTION HAVING A SLIDABLE RELEASE MEMBER FOR RELEASE THEREOF, A SECOND LATCH PORTION HAVING A RETRACTABLE TONGUE FOR RELEASE THEREOF, SAID RETRACTABLE TONGUE BEING LINEARLY DISPLACEABLE IN A DIRECTION TRANSVERSE TO THAT OF SAID SLIDABLE RELEASE MEMBER, MEANS ON THE DOORS ENGAGEABLE WITH SAID FIRST AND SECOND LATCH PORTIONS FOR SECURING THE DOORS IN A CLOSED POSITION, A MANUALLY OPERABLE CAM HAVING AN AXIS OF ROTATION FIXED IN RELATION TO THE ENCLOSURE AND A CAM FOLLOWING LINK DISPLACEABLE BY SAID CAM AND MECHANICALLY COUPLED WITH SAID RETRACTABLE TONGUE AND SAID SLIDABLE RELEASE MEMBER TO IMPART LINEAR MOTION THERETO FOR RELEASING SAID FIRST AND SECOND LATCH PORTIONS UPON DISPLACEMENT OF SAID CAM FOLLOWING LINK BY MANUAL OPERATION OF SAID CAM. 